RIGHT: Mike Muder of Boardman, coordinator of Youngstown Radio Reading Services, broadcasts the contents of The Vindicator to his listeners. Approximately 75 to 100 volunteers give their time to YRRS, a nonprofit organization that lists as its mission offering printed information to those who are vision or print-impaired. Staff photo / R. Michael Semple

LIBERTY — Some of those who volunteer for a longtime broadcasting service are blind, but it’s easy to see the impact they have left on many of their audience members.

“We don’t exist without people coming in and reading,” Mike Muder, program coordinator for the Youngstown Radio Reading Services, said. “We’re very fortunate to have them.”

Muder was praising the 75 to 100 area volunteers who give their time to YRRS, a nonprofit organization that lists as its mission offering printed information to those who are vision or print-impaired. The service also is available on a sideband of WYSU-FM 88.5, which requires a special, free radio, he noted.

The organization, which was established May 28, 1976, is celebrating its 30th anniversary at Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries Inc., 2707 Belmont Ave. Beforehand, YRRS had operated for the first two years at Youngstown State University, then in the former Youngstown Society for the Blind and Disabled building on Glenwood Avenue until it closed in March 1992. Soon after, YRRS moved to its current location, Muder explained.

The facility is made up of six studios, including a few one-person rooms from where volunteers read and broadcast prerecorded local and national news, information from books and magazines. They also conduct one-on-one interviews, some of which include special-interest topics.

The programs include about two hours of daily evening readings from The Vindicator and the Tribune Chronicle that include obituaries and local events, both of which are popular among many listeners, Muder noted.

About five years ago, YRRS began operating digitally, with a sophisticated automation system, he continued.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the building was devoid of the volunteers, some of whom began in the 1970s, for nearly two years before YRRS resumed in-person broadcasting in mid-January, Muder said.

Ironically, the two-year health crisis has enhanced YRRS’ ability to reach its audience because, after having to quickly adjust and improvise, volunteers adapted to working via phone and from home, Muder recalled.

“Everybody kept reading, one way or another,” he said, adding that the pandemic failed to deter the volunteers from contributing.

Of course, smooth operations rely on equipment being properly set up, tuned and adjusted when necessary. That’s where Erik Stovall of Austintown comes in.

“If it needs done, I do it,” said Stovall, who has worked nearly 25 years for Goodwill.

In addition to providing such services, YRRS hosts a monthly VIP Vision Support Group, which Youngstown Area Goodwill created.

The group’s main goals include offering peer support and a safe space for people who are visually or print impaired, as well as better connecting them with a variety of resources to help them enjoy an improved quality of life, Alyssa Italiano YRRS’ vice president of operations, noted.

“It’s a safe space for people to come and talk,” Italiano said, adding that some sessions also include guest speakers who provide resources related to vision and vision issues.

The next meeting is set for 10 a.m. March 17 at Goodwill Industries. Those who wish to join remotely or are fearful of in-person gatherings because of the pandemic can call Muder at 330-759-7921, Ext. 1249.

The Youngstown Lions Club donated funds to YRRS for computers when it became digital, Muder added.

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